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SWC Freewalk 15, Winchester Circular. 13/3/11.

A mixed walk of city and rural walking; apparently 10.2 miles but this walker felt it was more like 13/14, based on the time taken to do it. Starting in the ancient, former capital city, the walker is taken past all of the major points of interest before following the fast-flowing River Itchen and then ascending the Iron Age hill fort of St Catherine's Hill. Lunch could be taken here on a fine day, with spectacular views of the city below, or after a further walk over downland, along The Pilgrims' Trail, to the village pub in Shawford (very nice garden next to the river).
The afternoon section climbs up onto Compton Down, with some fine views of the city and the earlier part of the walk up to St Catherine's. The walker then descends down The Clarendon Way to the ancient hospital at St Cross before traversing the water meadows again to re-enter the city.
(The small diving bird seen was, of course, a Dabchick, and the Moorhen was erroneously called a Coot).